plural pull-ups
Synonyms of pull-upnext
: an exercise in which one hangs by the hands from a support (such as a horizontal bar) and pulls oneself up until the chin is level with the support
specifically : such an exercise done with the palms facing outward compare chin-up

pull up

2 of 2

verb

pulled up; pulling up; pulls up

transitive verb

1
: to bring to a stop : halt
2

intransitive verb

1
a
: to check oneself
b
: to come to an often abrupt halt : stop
2
: to draw even with others in a race

Examples of pull-up in a Sentence

Verb the jockey tried to pull up the apparently injured horse
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Using electrodes in its pull-up handle, the scale tracks more than 60 metrics, now including hypertension risk and how efficiently the heart pumps blood—a first for a home scale, according to Withings. — Eliza Thompson, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 One pull-up 3-pointer during Monday’s win against the Washington Wizards captured the dilemma perfectly. — C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
Once a hospital makes a patient’s records available through Epic’s Care Everywhere, many clinicians who work with Epic across the country can pull up those records, with some exceptions. — Alex Rosenblat — Calmatters, STAT, 15 Oct. 2026 CiCi Nelson was in line to ride the Goliath coaster when a cart pulled up. — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pull-up

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1901, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1623, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pull-up was in 1623

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pull-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pull-up. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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